Unruly Times by Prashant Bhawalkar is a satire on the Indian novel in English. Prashant Bhawalkar was born in Mumbai and studied English Literature at St. Xavier's College. Upon graduation, he worked briefly as a journalist and went on to study journalism at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Sydney, Australia.
The main character, Dushyant, is an advertising copywriter in New York, who wants to publish a novel. He is told by people in the industry that he won't be marketable unless he writes a novel about something Indian, There is a double narrative running through the novel - Dushyant's struggle to write as well as the plot of the novel itself. Unruly Times main pre-occupation is the exploitation of identity politics by post-colonial writers. For a good list of related books click here
The main character, Dushyant, is an advertising copywriter in New York, who wants to publish a novel. He is told by people in the industry that he won't be marketable unless he writes a novel about something Indian, There is a double narrative running through the novel - Dushyant's struggle to write as well as the plot of the novel itself. Unruly Times main pre-occupation is the exploitation of identity politics by post-colonial writers. For a good list of related books click here
This book is a real marvel. I was travelling through India after two years in the Israeli army and picked up this book at a local bookshop. The synopsis does not do it justice. It contains so many emotions--sadness, melancholy, humour. There are so many subtle references to old literature-- Advaita's anxiety to possess the volume of Virgil is written in a mock heroic epic style. In many ways it reminds me of Milan Kundera's later works, especially Slowness.
ReplyDeleteThe book has a brilliant cutting edge-sharp, witty and poignant. Most importantly it is alive and its energy pulls you along and draws you pleasantly into the quaint and charming world of its protagonist,Adwaita.There is a pleasing literary flavor,which sparkles through the prose and elevates it. It seems the author's overriding love and passion for literary classics has spilled over, a bit of the magic, into its prose! The book makes for a compelling read, replete with grace, style and substance. Amazingly accomplished for a first time writer, it showcases a very promising talent. Well done, Prashant Bhawalkar, and here's looking to many more...
ReplyDeleteIn addition to many merits of this book mentioned by previous posters, there is the one having to do with its basic structure. Dushyant is writing about Adwaita, who is, in fact, Dushyant himself. The two of them cross paths near the end of the novel. This intertwining double narrative defies linearity and proposes seemingly no respite from Dushyant sadness and loneliness. But the respite is there. It is found in the act of writing itself. The last sentence of the novel is very telling in this regard. This book is the hymn of writing, the way of revival of our long lost myths, sort of l'eau de vie for our confused consumerist civilization.
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